Located on the outskirts of Cangas de OnísAt an altitude of approximately 750 meters above sea level, the viewpoint stands in the recreational area of Llano del Cura, a place that, although not listed in all guidebooks, boasts views that rival the most famous in the region. To get there, just Take a path that starts next to the Cangas de Onís cemetery, skirting it on a gentle ascent In just fifteen minutes, we'll be presented with a natural spectacle. You don't need to be a mountaineer or an adventurer; the route is accessible to anyone willing to walk a little and be amazed. Better on foot than by car, although if the idea is to spend a day picnicking it might be better to approach by vehicle.
From here, the Sella River It unfolds in its descent towards the Cantabrian Sea with the serenity of someone who knows he is the protagonist, bordering the city that was, in its day, the first capital of the Kingdom of Asturias, and which still preserves in its streets the imprint of a glorious past.
What awaits at the summit is not just another viewpoint, but a natural balcony over the Sella and historyFrom here, the town of Cangas de Onís is revealed in all its splendor, with its Roman bridge standing out among the houses, as if Don Pelayo were about to cross it at any moment, riding with his sword raised. To the north, the Sueve mountain range It rises with its unmistakable profile, that massif which, in its arrogance, seems to deny the evidence that beyond it begins the sea. To the south, the western massif of the Picos de Europa It rises with its usual image: a challenge to logic and a reminder that Asturias is a country of mountains rather than of men.
The Llano del Cura recreational area
Those who come to Llano del Cura do so for different reasons. Some seek a break on their journey to the summits, others wish to reconnect with the silence, and quite a few come with no other purpose than to lose themselves in contemplation. For all, the viewpoint is generous, with wooden benches and tables strategically arranged for the walker's snack. The area is equipped with barbecues, fountains and ample parking, making it an ideal place to stop and enjoy a day outdoors.
But if there's one thing that makes this place unique, it's its resurgence from obscurity. Until a few years ago, the Llano del Cura recreational area languished in neglect, a victim of neglect and ignorance. However, thanks to local initiatives, has been recovered and conditioned, allowing visitors to rediscover a viewpoint that has always been there, patiently waiting for someone to look down from its heights again. Furthermore, from this location, Various hiking trails, such as the one leading to the village of Següenco, a corner that preserves the essence of rural Asturias and which, in itself, is worth a visit.
A place to return to
At a time when travel seems reduced to lists of "must-see places" and a race to accumulate photographs without pausing to look, Llano del Cura represents an invitation to pause, wonder, and reflection. Here, there are no lines of tourists, no strident signs, no cafes selling souvenirs. There is only nature in its purest form, the distant sound of the Sella River, and the echo of a past that has never quite left.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
